Foster Avenue resident Dick Reardon had placed signs reading, “Airport pollution harms the environment, our children and adults” in four private yards along Rte. 139 with permission from the homeowners.

Jessica Trufant The Patriot Ledger @JTrufant_Ledger

MARSHFIELD – Officials say yard signs along Route 139 warning of airport pollution can stay up for 30 days with a permit, but one resident believes the town is violating his First Amendment rights by limiting how long he can display them.

Foster Avenue resident Dick Reardon had placed signs reading, “Airport pollution harms the environment, our children and adults” in four private yards along Route 139 with permission from the homeowners.

Reardon said on Tuesday the signs are a way to raise awareness of the jet-exhaust fumes he believes are the result of the $15.34 million runway improvement and expansion project at Marshfield Municipal Airport.

“I’m trying to protect our future generations because we’re going to get more jets coming into that airport,” he said. “I know it’s not Logan, but we’re getting the same pollution. We’re just going to die a bit slower.”

But Reardon was surprised last week to learn the building department had placed stickers on the signs stating that they were unpermitted, and therefore needed to be removed. Reardon said someone also laid the signs on the ground.

Building Commissioner Gerald O’Neill, who is the zoning enforcement officer, on Tuesday confirmed the signs were tagged as unpermitted. He said a resident called and complained about the unpermitted signs, as they violate town bylaws.

“We never end up taking the signs, we just label unpermitted signs,” he said. “We won’t censor them unless they’re hateful or vulgar. … But we’re neutral on political or statement signs.”

While Reardon’s signs don’t promote any candidate or ballot question or have any implications for an upcoming election, O’Neill said it’s his opinion that they’re still considered political in nature.

“Mr. Reardon can get a political sign permit for up to 30 days,” he said. “We’re within 30 days of an election, and even a statement sign is OK for 30 days. I would work with that.”

Zoning bylaws state political signs can stay up for 30 days with a permit from the building department. The fee is $10, plus a $50 security deposit.

But Reardon said only allowing the signs to stay up for 30 consecutive days is “treading on the First Amendment.”

“I would take it to court if I have to,” he said. “The signs are back up and they’re staying up.”

Though he wasn’t familiar with with specifics of the situation, Town Administrator Rocco Longo said the building department follows he zoning bylaws adopted by the town.